The Eight Assembly, Delta State, is poised to deliver on its mandate of lawmaking, representation and oversight of government programmes, projects and policies.
The assertion is contained the address presented by the Speaker, Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Denis, while briefing the press on the first anniversary of the 8th Assembly, 2024, held at the Assembly chapel, legislators’ quarter, Asaba.
Away from its legislative duties, the speaker said, the house will aim to collaborate, without compromising the independence of the Legislature, with the Executive arm of Government to ensure development gets to every part of the State.
“The House will always support Government policies that will ameliorate the economic pains Nigerians cum Deltans have been subjected to in the last one. We trust that the M.O.R.E Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. ( Elder) Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, our dear Governor, will deliver dividend of democracy to our people.
“As we move on to the second Session , we are more than ever before prepared and propelled to discharge our duties and responsibilities and ensure the policy trust of Government , which is in consonance with our Legislative agenda is fully implemented for the benefit and good of Deltans”, the speaker added.
He justified that, the Eight Assembly just like the preceding Assemblies of the Delta State House of Assembly, has lived up to its well established slogan, ” the most vibrant House of Assembly in the country”.
He explained that, in fulfillment of the constitutional duties, the House has screened and confirmed nominees for appointment as members of the State Executive Council and appointment into Government Agencies, Boards and Commissions.
Some of the Agencies, Boards and Commissions are: Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Delta State Internal Revenue Service, Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency, Direct Labour Agency (DLA),Delta Broadcasting Services, Asaba and Delta Broadcasting Services, Warri.
Others are: Delta State Waste Management Board, Delta State Rural Development Agency, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Delta State Post Primary Education Board, Delta State Bureau for Pensions, Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Delta State Investment Development Agency, Delta State Civil Service Commission, and Auditor-General ( Local Governments).
According to the Speaker, the action of the House in screening and confirming the nominees into the above Agencies, Boards and Commissions is to ensure efficient and effective administration of government in the State. We do not stop at confirmation of these appointments, the House through her Committees regularly oversight activities of Ministries, Departments and
Agencies of the Government.
“During the last one year, the House has also considered some notable motions and adopted resolutions enuring to the welfare and security of Deltans, some.of which are; Resolution calling on the Governor to (i) Set out security measures in place to forestall a recurrence of the destruction of farm lands and produce by Herdsmen in Abraka and its Environs which occurred on 17th August, 2023, and (ii)Ensure that the peace, love and order that is presently prevailing in the communities be maintained.
“Motion condemning rising incidence of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and Environs, Motion calling on the Governor to prohibit the use of styrofoam (also known as polystyrene) as cups, plates or any form of packaging for food or beverages in the State.
Fidelitynews reports that in the period under review, the House also received a total of eighteen Bills; fifteen Executive Bills and three Private Members Bills. Out of the eighteen Bills the following nine Bills have been passed and three assented which are; Supplementary Appropriation ( Amendment) Bill, 2022 – passed and Additional Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022, Appropriation Bill, 2024, Delta State Merit Award Bill, 2023, Delta State Social Investment Programme Bill, 2023, Delta State Persons with Disability Bill, 2023, Delta State Polytechnic Burutu ( Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Delta State Administration of Civil Justice( Amendment) Bill, 2024 – passed and awaiting assent.
According the Speaker, Eight of the remaining Bills are still undergoing consideration before the House, while the last one was withdrawn by the sponsors. The list of the pending Bills are: Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill, 2024, Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Film and Video Control’s Board Bill, 2024, Delta State Registration and Regulation of Private Veterinary Clinics Bill, 2024, Special Offences Court (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Delta State Pet Control and Responsible Ownership Bill, 2024, Delta State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024, and Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, 2024.